The last year has seen unprecedented changes to the eDiscovery market driven by GenAI, consolidation, innovation, regulatory enforcement, and economic uncertainty. I have continued my free-market coverage and research publication on top of my strategic consulting practice because it keeps me on the cutting edge and I enjoy the interactions with you, my peers. Rapidly improving GenAI and tools made me ask, “Do we even need bloggers and independent researchers?”
Yes. We need them to ask the tough questions and highlight issues for eDiscovery practitioners buried in matters. I know this because late last year a long-time client asked me to support several complicated international matters. My workload multiplied consumed my research time with crisis management billable hours. I have thoroughly enjoyed driving Kelly Twigger’s “time to truth” to reach case resolutions and meet tight production deadlines. This is where I started 30+ years ago, finding answers and bad actors as a young Criminalist analyzing hard drives, drugs and phones.
We all must adapt as our profession, market and technologies rapidly change. For myself, that means letting go of my independent analyst identity and being open to new opportunities and potential roles. I do not know what hat I will be wearing when 2026 arrives, but I look forward to applying a lifetime of eDiscovery skills to new challenges. I will continue to write as billable time allows, so please excuse the occasional gaps as I return to the trenches. Doug Austin, Stephanie Wilkins and others will carry the journalist torch in ways that GenAI cannot replace.
Greg Buckles wants your feedback, questions or project inquiries at Greg@eDJGroupInc.com. Book a free 15 minute ‘Good Karma’ call if he has availability. He solves problems and creates eDiscovery solutions for enterprise and law firm clients.
Greg’s blog perspectives are personal opinions and should not be interpreted as a professional judgment or advice. Greg is no longer an investigative journalist and all perspectives are based on best public information. Blog content is neither approved nor reviewed by any providers prior to being published. Do you want to share your own perspective? Greg is looking for practical, professional informative perspectives free of marketing fluff, hidden agendas or personal/product bias. Outside blogs will clearly indicate the author, company and any relevant affiliations.
Greg’s latest nature, art and diving photographs on Instagram.
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